Weightlifting Machine

Abstract

A weightlifting machine that includes a pulley system and a cable system that attaches to a weight rack frame to allow a user to perform a weightlifting exercise. The pulley system may include a first pulley and a second pulley where the cable system engages each pulley. The cable system may have a first end connected to a grip attachment and a second end attached to a resistance element. The resistance element may include a resistance band, a weight support that holds a weight plate, a set of weight plates, or other type of resistance element. The cable system may extend from the pulley through an opening located one of the frame members that form the frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weight rack system, comprising:
 a frame including a plurality of vertical frame members that are connected together with a plurality of lateral frame members, wherein each lateral frame member of the plurality of lateral frame members and each vertical frame member of the plurality of vertical frame members comprises a rectangular metal tube having four side surfaces defining a hollow interior;   a pulley assembly attached to a first lateral frame member of the plurality of lateral frame members, wherein a first vertical frame member of the plurality of vertical frame members is connected to the first lateral frame member, and wherein a top end of the first vertical frame member extends higher than the first lateral frame member;   wherein the pulley assembly comprises a first pulley, a second pulley, and a pulley mount connected to the first lateral frame member, wherein the first pulley and the second pulley are rotatably mounted to the pulley mount, and wherein a portion of the pulley assembly extends over the top end of first vertical frame member; and   a cable system connected at a first end to a movable connection and at a second end to a grip attachment, wherein the cable system extends from the grip attachment to the first pulley, from the first pulley to the second pulley, and from the second pulley to the movable connection, and the first pulley engages the cable system to redirect the cable system from the first pulley to the second pulley, and the cable system further engages the second pulley to redirect the cable system from the second pulley to the movable connection.   
     
     
         2 . The weight rack system of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the pulley mount rests on the top end of the first vertical frame member. 
     
     
         3 . The weight rack system of  claim 1 , wherein the pulley mount includes a mounting structure comprising a pair of mounting plates, and wherein the pair of mounting plates extend onto opposite sides of the first lateral frame member to receive the first lateral frame member between the pair of mounting plates. 
     
     
         4 . The weight rack system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable system comprises a lateral portion extending between the first pulley and the second pulley and a descending portion extending from the second pulley to the movable connection. 
     
     
         5 . The weight rack system of  claim 4 , wherein the descending portion extends from the second pulley through a hole located in an upper surface of the first lateral frame member to the movable connection. 
     
     
         6 . The weight rack system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pulley is outside a perimeter of the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The weight rack system of  claim 1 , wherein a gap is formed between the formed between an underside of a body of the pulley mount and a top surface of the first lateral frame member. 
     
     
         8 . The weight rack system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a weight support attached to the movable connection, wherein the weight support is only supported by the movable connection connected to the cable system; and   wherein the weight support comprises a support plate with a shaft extending upward from the support plate, wherein the weight support is configured to support one or more weight plates such that a weight plate rests on the support plate, and the shaft is configured to extend through a hole in the weight plate, and wherein the movable connection is configured to raise the weight support when the grip attachment is moved in a direction away from the first pulley, via the cable system.   
     
     
         9 . The weight rack system of  claim 8 , further comprising a base support attached to the frame, wherein the base support includes a mounting structure configured to releasably attach to the frame and a support member configured to engage and support the weight support at an elevated position. 
     
     
         10 . The weight rack system of  claim 9 , wherein the support member of the base support extends into a movement path of the weight support defined by a range of motion of the cable system, such that the support member of the base support is configured to engage and support the weight support at the elevated position within the movement path of the weight support. 
     
     
         11 . A weight rack system, comprising:
 a frame including a plurality of vertical frame members that are connected together with a plurality of lateral frame members, wherein each lateral frame member of the plurality of lateral frame members and each vertical frame member of the plurality of vertical frame members comprises a rectangular metal tube having four side surfaces defining a hollow interior;   a pulley assembly attached to a first lateral frame member of the plurality of lateral frame members, wherein a first vertical frame member of the plurality of vertical frame members is connected to the first lateral frame member, and wherein a top end of the first vertical frame member extends higher than the first lateral frame member;   wherein the pulley assembly comprises a first pulley, a second pulley, and a pulley mount connected to the first lateral frame member, wherein the first pulley and the second pulley are rotatably mounted to the pulley mount;   wherein the pulley mount includes a mounting structure comprising a pair of mounting plates, wherein the pair of mounting plates extend outward and then downward from a body of the pulley mount and wherein the pair of mounting plates extend onto opposite sides of the first lateral frame member to receive the first lateral frame member between the pair of mounting plates; and   a cable system connected at a first end to a movable connection and at a second end to a grip attachment, wherein the cable system extends from the grip attachment to the first pulley, from the first pulley to the second pulley, and from the second pulley to the movable connection, and the first pulley engages the cable system to redirect the cable system from the first pulley to the second pulley, and the cable system further engages the second pulley to redirect the cable system from the second pulley to the movable connection.   
     
     
         12 . The weight rack system of  claim 11 , wherein the body of the pulley mount is above the first lateral frame member creating a gap between a top surface of the first lateral frame member and an underside of the body of the pulley mount, wherein the gap is forward of the pair of mounting plates and aft of an inward facing surface of the first vertical frame member. 
     
     
         13 . The weight rack system of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the pulley assembly extends over the top end of the first vertical frame member. 
     
     
         14 . The weight rack system of  claim 11 , wherein the cable system comprises a lateral portion extending between the first pulley and the second pulley and a descending portion extending from the second pulley to the movable connection. 
     
     
         15 . The weight rack system of  claim 14 , wherein the descending portion extends from the second pulley through a hole located in an upper surface of the first lateral frame member to the movable connection. 
     
     
         16 . The weight rack system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a weight support attached to the movable connection, wherein the weight support is only supported by the movable connection connected to the cable system; and   wherein the weight support comprises a support plate with a shaft extending upward from the support plate, wherein the weight support is configured to support one or more weight plates such that the one or more weight plates rest on the support plate, and the shaft is configured to extend through a hole in each of the one or more weight plates, and wherein the movable connection is configured to raise the weight support when the grip attachment is moved in a direction away from the first pulley, via the cable system.   
     
     
         17 . A weight rack system, comprising:
 a frame including a plurality of vertical frame members that are connected together with a plurality of lateral frame members, wherein each lateral frame member of the plurality of lateral frame members and each vertical frame member of the plurality of vertical frame members comprises a rectangular metal tube having four side surfaces defining a hollow interior;   a pulley assembly attached to a first lateral frame member of the plurality of lateral frame members, wherein a first vertical frame member of the plurality of vertical frame members is connected to the first lateral frame member, and wherein a top end of the first vertical frame member extends higher than the first lateral frame member;   wherein the pulley assembly comprises a first pulley, a second pulley, and a pulley mount connected to the first lateral frame member, wherein the first pulley and the second pulley are rotatably mounted to the pulley mount, and wherein a portion of the pulley assembly extends over the top end of first vertical frame member;   wherein the pulley mount includes a mounting structure comprising a pair of mounting plates, and wherein the pair of mounting plates extend onto opposite sides of the first lateral frame member to receive the first lateral frame member between the pair of mounting plates; and   a cable system connected at a first end to a movable connection and at a second end to a grip attachment, wherein the cable system extends from the grip attachment to the first pulley, from the first pulley to the second pulley, and from the second pulley to the movable connection, and the first pulley engages the cable system to redirect the cable system from the first pulley to the second pulley, and the cable system further engages the second pulley to redirect the cable system from the second pulley to the movable connection; and   a weight support attached to the movable connection, wherein the weight support is only supported by the movable connection connected to the cable system; and   wherein the weight support comprises a support plate with a shaft extending upward from the support plate, wherein the weight support is configured to support one or more weight plates such that a weight plate rests on the support plate, and the shaft is configured to extend through a hole in the weight plate, and wherein the movable connection is configured to raise the weight support when the grip attachment is moved in a direction away from the first pulley, via the cable system.   
     
     
         18 . The weight rack system of  claim 17 , wherein a gap is formed between the formed between an underside of a body of the pulley mount and a top surface of the first lateral frame member. 
     
     
         19 . The weight rack system of  claim 17 , wherein the first pulley extends beyond a front surface of the first vertical frame member. 
     
     
         20 . The weight rack system of  claim 17 , wherein the pair of mounting plates extend outward and then downward from a body of the pulley mount.